Back in the United States. Back in California. I found myself and my laptop at my old bedroom, which was converted to a computer room slash guest bedroom since I'd packed up and left it two months ago. I was sending emails to friends, co-workers, just to catch up to [what little] I missed while I was gone. I was explaining myself and my reasons to them. I wasn't going to be around Downey for long.

By the first week of November I was staying in the den of a friend's apartment, trying to figure out bits and pieces of the life I just left in Japan. Things may have been so different had I not sprained or strained my upper back, had I not worked those hours. It's embarassing to admit that I even went and returned, but it's also something that simply happened... maybe for a reason. Maybe not. I was trying to figure my life out.

Telecommuting. Telecommunicating. By mid-November I was back at the job I supposedly left behind. It could have been necessity: I returned from Japan with no money after spending my way there and back. My return may have also been wishful thinking: perhaps I could progress further at my former job. Who was I kidding? I needed to work. You have to take what you can when there's very little, or nothing, left.

November was confusing, crushing, busy and difficult. It also marked one year of this small project I call One Month In a Day.